Most people are too busy working to stop and think about how to invest in their careers. You may be thinking, “I’m doing my job, isn’t that enough?” However, if you want to make sure you stay on the right career track, it takes more than just getting the day-to-day work done to be successful.
Cynthia Good is an award-winning journalist and the chief executive officer and founding editor of LittlePINKbook.com, an online resource for professional women. She offers the following suggestions to help you keep your eyes on the prize:
1. Focus on the big picture. It’s easy to get bogged down by the little things. You have a bad day, or a bad week, and it seems like the world is coming to an end. Stop and think about it—do you have more successes than frustrations? Concentrate on what you are doing well, and keep looking ahead.
2. Delegate and rely on technology. Are you bogged down in managing minutia, like your calendar, contact information, and errands? Consider possible ways to invest in some help for things you don’t actually need to do yourself. For some people, this could involve hiring someone to help with certain tasks, but it could be just as easy as finding some great smartphone applications. Many grocery stores have shopping helper apps, banks provide applications and reminders, and there are countless calendar and day-to-day management applications you may want to try.
3. Network for results.
4. Propel yourself forward.
5. Keep your online presence professional and up-to-date.
6. Find a mentor.
7. Project confidence via your appearance.
8. Consider continuing education.
9. Keep your goals in mind.
Read the whole post on my U.S. News & World Report column.
photo by aur2899